Defending champions, Manchester United
host the baggies in a match that is seen as a must win for the hosts after
getting clobbered by neighbours, Manchester City in last weekend’s derby.
Eliminating Liverpool out of the Capital One Cup in midweek took some of the
heartache away. Nevertheless, United know there is no margin for failure forthwith.
West Bromwich Albion have had an
indifferent start to the season unlike the previous one when they came out
flying out of the blocks, claiming some astonishing results along the way. The
Lukaku magic has since deserted them and gone to the blue part of Merseyside
via the blue part of West London. Steve Clarke still made some notable
additions to the squad in the close season with the likes of Stephane
Sessegnon, Morgan Amalfitano, Victor Anichebe all lured to the Hawthorns. Scott
Sinclair also joined from the Etihad alongside other names like La Celeste
skipper and defensive rock, Diego Lugano.
The Midlands club was sent packing
out of the Capital One Cup (on penalties) in midweek by a young Arsenal team.
Making amends today will be the main driving force. However, Old Trafford is
not a place where you harbor hopes of a smooth sail. To make matters worse, the
visitors face a wounded Manchester United whose pride has been battered and
bruised.
The red devils will be buoyed by the
return to fitness of Dutch scoring machine, Robin Van Persie who needs four
goals to equal Patrick Kluivert as the highest goal scorer in the Netherlands
history. The main attacking threat for the Manchester Club was sorely missed in
last weekend’s derby. Although, he would have done little to turn things in his
team’s favour. We all know defending is not one of his strong points:). Wayne
Rooney is also firing on all cylinders and nowadays, if he doesn’t find the
net, he will definitely get someone to do so. The Englishman is like a man
reborn and his 4 goals in the last 4 games has proved that he is still perhaps
the most important player in the Moyes set-up. Class is permanent it seems.
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, the forgotten sharp shooter, sent a strong
message to the United coaching team with an intelligent finish to down Liverpool
in midweek. What that run and goal meant is that he does not deserve to be
overlooked and if he is, it should only be because of Wazza and RVP and
definitely not Danny Welbeck who has failed to deliver for a very long time.
Four goals in the last one year is unacceptable for a striker who dons the
famous outfit of Manchester United. In that dry spell for Danny, Chicharito has
hit 19 goals in just 23 starts. Numbers and stats don’t tell the whole story
they said.
Saturday’s encounter is another
opportunity for David Moyes to win over more doubters. Despite the shaky start
to his reign, he still has the best start of any manager at the club in 67 long
years. That is saying something huge. 5 wins in 8 games is not too bad. Well, any
kind of loss to Manchester City is synonymous to anguish for anyone who is
associated with the MUFC crest. Moyes has said RVP will feature. It is whether
he will throw him on from the start that is unknown at the moment. If the
Dutchman doesn’t make it, there are capable replacements as Chicharito has
shown quite often. Rafael Da Silva is also back after a spell on the sidelines
and the Rio/Vida partnership, torn apart at the Etihad, must shore up a defence
that has leaked 11 goals in the last 6 games. That stat is not for a team
intending to defend one of the most difficult competitions in all of football.
Nicolas Anelka has yet to sparkle for
the Baggies since his arrival. The well travelled Frenchman has been hit with
personal problems in recent weeks and that must have played a part. We all know
what he can bring to any team and he has nothing else to prove. His abilities cannot
be overemphasized. Watching him closely is surely better than giving him acres
of space. Shane Long has hurt Manchester United before. The baggies also
possess players who can win games on their own. Record signing, Sessegnon
quickly comes to mind.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
MANCHESTER UNITED-
DDG, Rafa, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Carrick,
Fellaini, TonyV, Nani/Young, Roo, RVP/Welbeck
The big dogs are ready to return
after being rested for the Liverpool clash. Carrick and Fellaini will most
certainly be returned to their positions in midfield with Valencia taking his
place on the right. Many United fans loathe Ashley Young as a result of his
consistently poor outings for the club. He hasn’t stopped there. He has now
resorted to cheating which has been strongly condemned by the gaffer. A lot of
supporters don’t want to see him in subsequent starting elevens. Moyes may not
see it that way. He might start today. Another guy who can be sure to feature
from the start is Danny Welbeck.
WEST BROM-
Myhill, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell,
Mulumbu, Morrison, Amalfitano, Sessegnon, Sinclair, ANELKA
The trio of Sinclair, Sessegnon and
Anelka carry the hopes of Clarke’s men. If they combine to good effect, West
Brom have more chances of at least claiming a point. Youssuf Mulumbu’s role is
vital too. A heroic showing and then who knows?
The baggies are lucky to have been
the last team Sir Alex managed the red army against and that day, the match
ended in a 5-5 draw. The highest scoring draw in EPL history. But conclusions
cannot adequately be drawn from that as SAF and Scholes have since drawn the
curtains on their respective careers and ROMELU LUKAKU who hit a superb second
half hat-trick is no longer a squad member. His presence and goals have been
hugely missed. 17 in the League is the highest by any player in Brom’s history
and that may remain for a long time yet.
Ohireime Eboreime
Twitter-@ohiskaka1990
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